Mohamed Salah, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho were top class, while Demarai Gray was the only positive for Everton, who were beaten 4-1 by Liverpool on Wednesday.
Liverpool were on the money from the get-go, with Diogo Jota setting up an early chance for Mohamed Salah, who could not convert from close range. Shortly after, though, the Reds were duly in front, as Jordan Henderson started and finished off a fine move with a peach of a finish from the edge of the Everton box.
Ten minutes later, Mohamed Salah doubled Liverpool’s advantage after being set up by Henderson, beating Jordan Pickford from close range. However, Everton slowly ebbed away at Liverpool before pulling a goal back through Demarai Gray, who was put through smartly by Richarlison.
That was as good as it got for Everton, as Liverpool thoroughly dominated the proceedings after the break. The Reds restored their two-goal cushion through Salah, who snatched the ball off Seamus Coleman before unleashing a lung-busting run and a deft finish to make it 3-1. The game was put to bed with a little over ten minutes left in regulation time.
Diogo Jota rounded off the victory with a brilliant finish from an acute angle after a fine exchange with Andrew Robertson. The result means Liverpool remain two points behind Chelsea, who beat Watford 2-1 on the same day. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over both sets of players.
Everton
Jordan Pickford: 5/10
Pickford might have conceded four goals, but apart from the one scored by Diogo Jota, he could not have done anything to stop any of the other strikes. Some of his saves were critical in ensuring the scoreline did not become more embarrassing than it already was for Everton.
Seamus Coleman: 4/10
At a time when Everton were building the pressure on Liverpool, Coleman released it completely by losing the ball to Mohamed Salah, who then unleashed a blistering run before scoring the third for the Reds. The Everton captain was not directly culpable for any of the other goals his side conceded and did fairly well defensively otherwise.
Ben Godfrey: 4/10
Everton oddly appear to be missing Yerry Mina and his combativeness, which is precisely the quality that Godfrey lacked against Liverpool. The Englishman struggled against the movement of Jota and gave the Portuguese too much space to score Liverpool’s fourth goal.
Michael Keane: 4/10
Like Godfrey, Keane was all over the place against Liverpool, struggling to remain compact and disciplined. While he did win each of his contested duels while completing four clearances and as many interceptions, he could not close down the spaces on time for Salah.
Lucas Digne: 5/10
There was not a lot that Digne could have done to influence the proceedings in the final third on Wednesday, as Salah constantly pinned him back. The Frenchman also lost the ball 17 times, which piled the pressure on Everton further.
Andros Townsend: 4/10
Things continue to go from bad to worse for Townsend, who was anonymous for the most part against Liverpool. The Englishman carried no threat whatsoever, while wasteful passing played a spoilsport for Everton in the final third.
Abdoulaye Doucoure: 4/10
For a second successive game, Doucoure looked out of sorts and short of sharpness. The former Watford midfielder struggled to provide ample cover for the centre-backs while also being sloppy on the ball. Even more staggering was the fact that he won only one of the 11 duels he contested.
Allan: 5/10
The midfield battle was always going to be the key in the game, and Everton lost it brutally. And it is Allan, in particular, who should have done so much more to put pressure on his counterparts. The Brazilian was wasteful with some of his passes, and Jordan Henderson overpowered him on several occasions. His form has gone for a toss.
Demarai Gray: 6/10
The standout performer for Everton, Gray, was the reason why Everton were in the game heading into the interval. However, playing on the left flank deprived him of his best qualities. Nevertheless, he did all he could for his team and should hold his head up high.
Demarai Gray’s goal vs. Liverpool is his 4th in the Premier League this season. 21/22 is now his joint best top-flight season in terms of goals already.
Proving to be a strong addition to the side. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/Dh9oxz8Eny
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 1, 2021
Richarlison: 5/10
Back in the starting lineup after serving his suspension, Richarlison had a game to forget against Liverpool. The only reason he gets 5/10 is his assist for Gray’s goal, which was a sublime pass. However, the Brazilian should have done better to get himself into the game, while his sloppiness on the ball only made matters worse for Everton.
Salomon Rondon: 5/10
Another game, another outing wherein Rondon was ineffective on the pitch. The veteran striker was not even a factor in the air, which is his strength, with Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk neutralising him smartly. In fairness, he was not as involved as he would have liked.
SUBSTITUTES
Anthony Gordon: 5/10
Introduced in place of Rondon, Gordon barely got himself into the game and could not do much to turn the tide in Everton’s favour.
Fabian Delph: N/A
On for Townsend, Delph was played around by Liverpool in the final quarter of the game.
Cenk Tosun: N/A
On for Gray, Tosun did not have enough time to make an impression.
Liverpool
Alisson Becker: 6/10
Being a strong critic of his game, Alisson would concede that he could have done better to deny Demarai Gray for his goal. However, other than that, the Liverpool no. 1 ensured there were no slip-ups and even retained solidity when building up play from the back.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 7/10
For a second successive game, Alexander-Arnold was outshined by Andrew Robertson. However, the Englishman was no slouch either, making some crucial interceptions while also coming close to scoring, only to be denied by Pickford. He even played a couple of key passes but did not have much to show for his efforts.
Joel Matip: 7/10
It was one of those games where Matip was better than Virgil van Dijk. While he could have done better to mark Gray for his goal, the Cameroonian defender was solid in the defensive phases, making three clearances, two interceptions and two blocks. In addition, he was top-notch in the air, negating the influence of Rondon superbly.
Virgil van Dijk: 6/10
The Player to Watch in our preview, van Dijk endured a hit-and-miss game against Everton. While the Dutchman was imperious in the air, there were moments when he suffered in open play. And his decision to leave Joel Matip high and dry to mark Richarlison in the buildup to Gray’s goal was a poor decision.
Andrew Robertson: 8/10
After a period of lull, Robertson has been showing his quality with a vengeance. On Wednesday, the Scot was once again critical in the final third, first finding Jordan Henderson for the opener before releasing Diogo Jota for Liverpool’s fourth goal of the game. On top of that, he was solid at the back, completing three clearances and five tackles. He is getting back to his best.
Jordan Henderson: 9/10
? STAT: Jordan Henderson is the first Liverpool player to score and assist at Goodison Park in the Premier League game since Steven Gerrard in December 2005. #awlive [opta] pic.twitter.com/AIYs8wrfXz
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) December 1, 2021
While many will fondly remember the game because Henderson scored a top-class goal and set Mohamed Salah up for his first, his performance went over and above that. The Liverpool captain was relentless off the ball, with some of his wastefulness being the only reason he does not get the full 10/10 here.
Fabinho: 9/10
Time and again, Fabinho keeps on proving his worth to Liverpool in the biggest games. The Brazilian was colossal at the base of the midfield and intercepted several balls smartly. He even played a key pass, which shows the range in his game.
Thiago Alcantara: 7/10
Thiago was not as heavily involved against Everton as he was in the last two games. However, he still played a leading role in ensuring Liverpool were on top of their hosts for the most part. There was some sloppiness in his game, but his link-up play was superb.
Mohamed Salah: 9/10
Find another sport for Mohamed Salah.
Football is too easy ? pic.twitter.com/PFRyQRhIIU
— GOAL (@goal) December 1, 2021
Salah was not as relentless as he can be at his best, and on another day, he could have celebrated a hat-trick. However, he still gets the joint-highest rating for the two brilliant finishes for his goals, in addition to showing tremendous awareness before robbing Coleman off the ball leading up to his second.
Diogo Jota: 8/10
With every passing game, Jota continues to show why he is a key player for Liverpool. The Portuguese international motored on without getting a scoring opportunity in the first half but was heavily involved in buildup play. Jota posed a greater threat after the break and played three key passes. The cherry on top, though, was the impeccable turn and finish from an acute angle for Liverpool’s fourth.
Diogo Jota has scored in each of his last three Premier League games for Liverpool:
⚽️ vs Arsenal
⚽️⚽️ vs Southampton
⚽️ vs EvertonThe Reds' number nine. pic.twitter.com/0IQe7gpL12
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 1, 2021
Sadio Mane: 7/10
Mane might not have scored a goal on the day, but his tremendous work rate was critical in keeping Everton pinned back. His movement also helped create space for Henderson and Jota for their goals. He does so much for the team without always getting tangible rewards. What an asset for Jurgen Klopp.
SUBSTITUTES
James Milner: N/A
On for Thiago, Milner was professional in his cameo and helped retain possession smartly in the dying embers of the game.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: N/A
On for Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain helped see the game out for Liverpool.
Takumi Minamino: N/A
A late introduction in place of Jota, Minamino hardly had any time to influence the proceedings.
